Zuma ‘unready’ for prosecution, corruption case postponed

Jacob Zuma in the high court in Durban on June 8 2018. Picture: Amanda Watson

The former president arrived in his traditional convoy surrounded by bodyguards and quickly disappeared into the courthouse.

The judge in the Durban High Court postponed the case against former president Jacob Zuma to July 27 this morning.

The reason, it appears, is that Zuma’s legal team was unable to prepare ahead of time for today’s proceedings.

Security was extraordinarily tight during of Jacob Zuma’s second appearance in the Durban High Court on charges of racketeering, corruption and fraud on Friday.

A phalanx of the president’s guard members, court officials, metro and South African police members controlled access to the court building.

Zuma arrived in his traditional convoy surrounded by bodyguards and quickly disappeared into the courthouse.

To gain entry into court for media, friends, and ‘VIP’s’ such as BLF’s Andile Mnxgitama and Faith Muthambi, meant applying for accreditation, and then once that was obtained, signing in and wearing a colour-coded wristband.

Zuma’s first appearance was held in Court A before Judge Mjabuliseni Madondo, but it was moved to Court B for Monday’s appearance.

Unusually, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has charged the company instead of a person for its involvement with the charges against Zuma and Guerrier has flown in from France for the second appearance.

It is believed Thint has submitted its application for review of the chase corruption charges it faces after its representations to have the charges dropped was refused by the NPA.

Together with uncertainty over the pending North Gauteng High Court decision over whether or not the state can pay for Zuma’s legal fees, the postponement came as no surprise.

Zuma’s lawyer, Michael Hulley, was in court for Zuma today.

Prosecutor advocate Billy Downer indicated in April he was ready to proceed.